Cebu City: A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late on September 30, sending shockwaves of destruction across Cebu province and prompting immediate safety measures by the Catholic Church. In response, newly-installed Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu has ordered all churches in the affected areas to undergo thorough structural inspections before resuming public services. “Faithful are urged to refrain from using your churches for the celebration of the Holy Mass until proper experts have assessed and declared the structures safe,” Archbishop Uy said in an official statement.
The quake’s epicenter was located off the northern tip of Cebu Island near Bogo City, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. By October 1, Philippine authorities confirmed nearly 60 fatalities, with 30 reported in Bogo City alone, and over 150 people injured. The Office of Civil Defence described the situation as fluid, warning that additional casualties were expected as rescue operations continue. Deputy Administrator Rafaelito Alejandro told AFP, “We are receiving additional numbers of reported casualties, so this thing is very fluid.”
Structural damage was widespread. On Bantayan Island, the belfry of a centuries-old Catholic church collapsed after violently swaying during the tremor. Resident Martham Pacilan recounted, “I heard a loud booming noise from the direction of the church, then I saw rocks falling from the structure. Luckily, no one got hurt.” In Cebu City, approximately 100 kilometers south, shoppers fled a mall after parts of the ceiling collapsed. “It was as if the Earth stopped spinning. And then the mall started shaking,” said 21-year-old Jayford Maranga, noting that his friend sustained minor injuries.
Infrastructure disruptions compounded the crisis. Power lines were downed, roads cracked, and villages became isolated. Tabogon town reported two-inch fissures along its main road, while electricity restoration across Cebu and four surrounding islands extended past midnight, according to the National Grid Corporation. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology also recorded 379 aftershocks, keeping authorities and residents on high alert.
Archbishop Uy expressed his closeness to those affected, urging the Catholic faithful to pray for calm and resilience amid the disaster. “We entrust ourselves, our families, and our communities into His merciful hands. May the Lord shelter us under His wings, protect us from every harm, and guide us to safety and peace,” he said. Earlier on September 30, before the earthquake struck, nearly 60 bishops had attended Archbishop Uy’s installation Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, where he reaffirmed his commitment to shepherding the faithful in the archdiocese.
Church leaders across the Philippines have called for unity in prayer. Bishop Socrates Mesiona of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa highlighted the need for spiritual solidarity while addressing parishioners in Aborlan, Palawan, during the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. “We are joyful because it is a fiesta, but we are saddened because we know that in another part of the country many have died due to the earthquake,” he said, urging the faithful to remember the victims and their families in their prayers.
Authorities continue search-and-rescue operations, appealing for volunteer medics and additional support to reach those trapped in collapsed structures. Meanwhile, the Church maintains a dual focus on immediate relief and long-term safety, with inspections of parishes ensuring that places of worship remain secure sanctuaries for the faithful.
The September 30 quake stands as a sobering reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity and underscores the critical role of community resilience, rapid response, and pastoral care in the aftermath of natural disasters.